Plan will give Alabama voters free IDs

Voters cast their ballots at the Northport City Hall voting location on Nov. 6, 2012. Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman has a plan that will allow any eligible voter to receive free photo identification.

Staff file photo | Dusty Compton

By Bob JohnsonThe Associated Press

Published: Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 28, 2013 at 11:06 p.m.

MONTGOMERY | Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman says her office has a plan that will allow any eligible voter to receive free photo identification.

At the same time, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said Friday that he has asked Commissioner of Senior Services Neal Morrison to come up with a separate plan to specifically help the disabled, the homebound and others who may have trouble accessing offices dispensing the free photo identification.

“The right to vote is fundamental to democracy,” Bentley said. “I want to remove any obstacle that could keep any eligible voters from exercising their constitutional right to vote.”

Bentley said his plan is intended to compliment Chapman's plan.

Chapman said under her office's plan, voters will be able to get the identification even if they can't afford to pay.

Chapman said voters can fill out a form to receive a free photo ID. She said her office wants to develop a system where voters can receive the photo identification at their county courthouse.

Chapman and other state officials have said a new state law requiring voters to show photo IDs took effect this week.

That's because the U.S. Supreme Court threw out a portion of the federal voting rights law requiring changes in voting procedures in some states and local governments to be approved by the U.S. Justice Department.

Alabama state Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, voted against the photo ID bill and has been an outspoken critic of requiring voters to show identification with a photo. He said he is concerned it will be disproportionally used against black citizens, who he said may not be able to afford to pay for a photo ID.

He said Friday that “what Gov. Bentley told me he would do would make it easier for people.”

But Holmes said he believes the new law “never should have passed.”

Morrison is expected to present a detailed plan to the governor in 120 days.

“We'll work to identify those who need help gaining access to a proper ID, and we'll outline a plan to help ensure they get what they need,” Morrison said.

<p>MONTGOMERY | Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman says her office has a plan that will allow any eligible voter to receive free photo identification. </p><p>At the same time, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said Friday that he has asked Commissioner of Senior Services Neal Morrison to come up with a separate plan to specifically help the disabled, the homebound and others who may have trouble accessing offices dispensing the free photo identification. </p><p>“The right to vote is fundamental to democracy,” Bentley said. “I want to remove any obstacle that could keep any eligible voters from exercising their constitutional right to vote.” </p><p>Bentley said his plan is intended to compliment Chapman's plan. </p><p>Chapman said under her office's plan, voters will be able to get the identification even if they can't afford to pay. </p><p>Chapman said voters can fill out a form to receive a free photo ID. She said her office wants to develop a system where voters can receive the photo identification at their county courthouse. </p><p>Chapman and other state officials have said a new state law requiring voters to show photo IDs took effect this week. </p><p>That's because the U.S. Supreme Court threw out a portion of the federal voting rights law requiring changes in voting procedures in some states and local governments to be approved by the U.S. Justice Department. </p><p>Alabama state Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, voted against the photo ID bill and has been an outspoken critic of requiring voters to show identification with a photo. He said he is concerned it will be disproportionally used against black citizens, who he said may not be able to afford to pay for a photo ID. </p><p>He said Friday that “what Gov. Bentley told me he would do would make it easier for people.” </p><p>But Holmes said he believes the new law “never should have passed.” </p><p>Morrison is expected to present a detailed plan to the governor in 120 days. </p><p>“We'll work to identify those who need help gaining access to a proper ID, and we'll outline a plan to help ensure they get what they need,” Morrison said.</p>